EU Regulators Scrutinize Google’s Web Ranking Process

EU antitrust regulators believe that Google’s ranking process blocks competitors, after a European Commission questionnaire asked rivals if the number of visitors caused their site lower rankings.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 12, 2013 ) San Francisco, CA -- A new two-page document from the EU competition authority demanded more concessions from Google, the world’s most popular search engine, to help understand concerns that it blocks competitors in search results.

Joaquin Almunia, European Competition Commissioner, said Google’s offer to label its own products in search results provides links to at least three rival sites was not enough. Other Google complainants agree with the statement, saying that those concessions could possible help reinforce Google’s dominance.

Complainants such British price comparison site Foundem, and travel website Expedia say that their placement on the Google search results, below Google’s own services, results in lower traffic to their sites.

Questions on the survey include whether they noticed a decrease in the number of users reaching your vertical search sites via Google’s natural search, and if it coincided with a significant change in the ranking of their pages.Respondents have until August 16 to reply to the questionnaire.

About RankUpMedia.com

RankUpMedia (www.rankupmedia.com) is a professional service business that focuses on online marketing. The professionals provide a free website analysis as an introduction to your professional relationship, so visit the website today to get started.